Tortuguero National Park, on Costa Rica’s northeast Caribbean coastline, near the border with Nicaragua, is one of the most wild and biodiverse areas you can explore. Only reachable by boat or light aircraft, the mega-diverse Tortuguero National Park covers almost 300 square miles, two-thirds of which is marine reserve and hosts one the worlds most active and pristine sea turtle nesting areas. This rugged park has few hiking trails, but is dissected by numerous waterways emptying into the Caribbean which make it best explored by boat, and has given the area the reputation of the “Amazon of Central America”. Truly a nature lover’s paradise, prepare to see monkeys, three-toed Sloths, river otters, poison dart frogs, Great Green Macaws, toucans, trogans, caimans, crocodiles, sea turtles and much more.
Tortuga Lodge was built in harmony with its tropical environment, offering a tranquil, relaxing and exclusive experience. Each of our 29 rooms provide sweeping views of the Tortuguero River and a magnificent view of the sunrise.
Tortuga Lodge sits along the river just a stones throw from where it meets the Caribbean. The lodge is adjacent to the fascinating Afro-Caribbean village of Tortuguero full of Caribe infused music, food and tradition. Explore the wilderness by day and return to your tranquil riverside lodge in the evening to enjoy wonderful farm to table and sea to table dining options, combined with live Caribé themed musicians Friday - Sunday. Getting here is half the fun, with either an hour long boat ride or light aircraft landing at the airstrip across the river from the lodge.
PROPERTY FACTS
29
Miss Florentine Villa (1), Miss Evelyn Balcony Suites (8), Mr. Mishak Downstairs Suites (8)
Miss Perla Upstairs Suite (6), Papi Brown Upstairs Suite (6)
Tortuga Jungle Expedition Package, Including B, L, D, boat transportation, and 5 experiences
WiFi available in your room and in the reception/restaurant/pool area
Open Year Round
N/A
Spa
Pool, boat transfers
Every room now has Air Conditioning & Sliding Glass Doors!
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Room Categories Pt. 2:
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Internet:
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RATES
From $430 per person, per night, double occupancy
From $470 per person, per night, double occupancy
From $520 per person, per night, double occupancy
Green Season
High Season
Holiday Season
A Conservation Contribution of $8 per Person per stay must be added to the price of each reservation.
Rates include Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, does not include Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages of any kind.
Minors must be accompanied by 2 Adults in the room to opt for the special child rate
Child rates apply to children between the ages of 3 and 10.
Anyone older than 11 years of age, adult rate applies. In the case of infants from 0 to 2 years old they are free.
The Single Rate does not apply for Holiday Season.
Miss Florentina Villa is not offered in Single occupancy in any season.
Boat Transfers are in regular operation (shared), it is possible to carry out private operations with an additional supplement.
LOCATION: Tortuguero National PARK, COSTA RICA
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Tortuguero Airport (TTQ) receives frequent daily direct flights of 30 minutes in duration from San Jose (SJO), followed by a boat transfer to the Lodge of 5 minutes.
Both Liberia and San Jose offer international connections but San Jose is the closest, accessed via a 30 minute direct flight. Flights from Tortuguero to Liberia usually require several stops.
WHEN TO VISIT
It is important to note that Tortuguero receives more rainfall than almost anywhere in Costa Rica, however, there is no shortage of wildlife viewing throughout any point of the year. From January - April during the High Season, you will have the best chance of having sunny mornings for primetime wildlife viewing. Unlike Manuel Antonio and many other places in Costa Rica, the “High Season” doesn’t really apply for Tortuguero National Park because it is a much lesser traveled region of the country.
The “green season” (from May to November) is probably the best time to experience a true jungle. All outdoor activities are still offered as the rain is very warm and actually quite pleasant.
Tortuguero (“place of turtles”) is most famous for the thousands of sea turtles that come ashore between July and September to lay their eggs on the beach and bury them in a ritual millions of years old. This is the real “High Season” for Tortuguero National Park. People don’t swim at the beach in Tortuguero because the tide of that region is particularly strong and could sweep you away in minutes. Combine that scenario with no cars being accessible in Tortuguero National Park, and you get a turtle breeding paradise. Often times you will see jaguar paw prints in the sand, and locals say they can rarely be spotted.
Although many people visit this region to see turtle hatching, it is important to know that Tortuguero is a destination that can be visited year-round.
Any time of year you can expect to see Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three toed Sloths, and river otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, Basilisk Lizards, and Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates) inhabit the area, along with more than 320 species of birds including the Great Green Macaw , all six species of kingfishers found in the new world, three species of toucans, eight species of parrots, and other neotropical species such as the Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-collared Manakin and the Purple-throated Fruitcrow.
Needless to say, you will never find a shortage of wildlife viewing in this region, making the adventure different each time.
FOR FAMILIES
Tortuga Lodge is the perfect destination for families seeking out a wild experience with luxury amenities, there is a great variety of nature, cultural and wildlife experiences on offer. However note that this is not a “beach” destination for kids to go boogie boarding in the water as there are strong currents, rip tides and very exotic wildlife in the water. There is no minimum age to visit Tortuga Lodge , however please note that some activities must be booked on a private basis for children ages 7 or younger. Child rates apply to children between the ages of 3 and 10.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH OF STAY
We have had guests stay as long as a week, still wanting to come back for more. However, a minimum of two nights is recommended to truly enjoy the destination, plus the effort in getting there.
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
You won’t see the abundance of wildlife up close & personal anywhere in Costa Rica like you will at Tortuga Lodge. Best opportunity to see a jaguar or puma in the wild is here.
Best place in Costa Rica to see turtles laying eggs and baby turtles hatching.Exploring the surrounding areas of Tortuguero National Park such as Rio Colorado provides opportunities to see some of the world’s most prehistoric creatures such as the massive Tarpon fish, crocodiles, and ancient birds.
Amazing outdoor pool located next to the tiki bar, shallow entry making it fun for kids and adults.
Incredible dining experience featuring fresh ingredients from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. You’ll find a convergence of exuberant biodiversity with an intense cultural syncretism, producing a medley of flavors and culinary traditions. The cuisine ranges from the exquisite concoction of rondón stew to the simplicity of Caribbean rice and beans.
The plantation-style structures that arise from this private reserve are located in the depths of what has been dubbed “The Amazon of Central America”. A lush network of navigable waterways, populated by hundreds of exotic species, offers not only delightful nature experience but a sense of getting away from it all.
For more adventurous clients, we recommend the option of arrival/departure via private transportation to the village of La Pavona or self drive via a rental car, secure parking is available in La Pavona for an additional cost. From La Pavona, it is a fascinating 50 minute boat trip downriver to Tortuga Lodge.
BEST COMBINED WITH
Tortuga Lodge is the perfect place to combine into an itinerary that explores the lesser known, but fascinating and wild Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It combines really well with Pacuare Lodge, the only whitewater raft in / raft out luxury lodge in Costa Rica’s central highlands or with beach-time at place like Hotel Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo. A combination of these three lodges and destinations provides what we consider to be the most overlooked, adventurous and fascinating itinerary in Costa Rica. Whitewater, wildlife and beach without the crowds.
Tortuga Lodge is accessed from San Jose, so can be a great side trip for 2-3 nights for those travelers who are basing their trip to Costa Rica out of the San Jose airport as opposed to the Liberia airport, or entering or exiting the country via San Jose. So 2-3 nights at Tortuga Lodge can be combined with a trip to the cloud-forest staying at Senda Monteverde or any Southern Pacific coastline destination, like Arenas del Mar in Manuel Antonio, Kura in Uvita, Lapa Rios on the Osa Peninsula or Pasha in Santa Teresa.